Episode 1: A Villainess’ Wish (4)

After the refreshing morning breakfast, I boarded the carriage and headed for the academy.

There was a dormitory established for commoners and nobles, of course the quality of the accommodation differed depending on the amount of rent you were willing to pay. For commoners, these lodging provided a safe and conducive place to study; for nobles, it facilitated those from far flung regions to come and stay for the duration of the semester’s classes.

As Winterfall manor was itself near the campus, it made sense for myself to commute to school rather than to book a stay in the dorms. Moreover, staying at the manor provided me more flexibility and security in terms of executing underhanded plans with Elysia.

Our classes resembled an expansive auditorium, with rows of tiered seatings cascading down towards a focal point where the lectern sat. 

As usual, Isodor, Glenn and Lowe had already arrived, with ‘the flower’ sandwiched between them. Clicking my tongue loud enough that they could hear, I took my seat high up the rows.

Isodor had refused to sit with me since the start of the semester, and it was telling of the strained relationship we had. So, the fact that he was by Lowe’s side only made for many scandalous rumours.

I don’t think he wasn’t aware, he simply just chose not to bother. 

In any case, there was nothing much I could do besides a continued observation that everything was happening according to plan.

First class of the day was history. 

And today we were touching upon the topic of Estelle Empire’s founding—most of it being false, made up history to aggrandise the empire’s status. Though, it wasn’t like the professor had intentions to lie to the class, it was simply part of the syllabus. 

“The influence of the Lutheran Church was small, and Estelle Empire in its infancy back in those days was barely established as a kingdom. Against the now Fallen Old Empire of the North, it was hard to think we could’ve won against their declaration of war.” Truly, his voice was as boring as the nature of the topic itself. “Does anyone want to guess how we managed to win against the Old Empire?”

“Could it be because there was a hero that stood up for the empire?” Fortunately, we had the always-attentive Lowe to shield the half-sleeping class from these unruly questions.

Professor Toure shook his head. “A hero? Oh dear, it was a good try, but that wasn’t the answer I’m looking for.”

“It was because the Gods convened divine retribution directly upon the Old Empire,” Isodor followed up after Lowe’s attempt.

“Yes indeed. That is a great answer, Your Highness. The Gods who could no longer bear the vile wrongdoings of the Old Empire descended divine judgement upon their lands, weakening their army and allowing Estelle Empire to win the war. You may say similarly, it implied that the Gods had answered the people’s prayers.” Professor Toure said with a soft smile. “And today, what transpired during the war has resulted in what we know as the Northern Blights.”

“Professor Toure, so the church was the one that caused the blight?” Lowe asked with a shortly raised hand.

“Though many historians would deny that because it made the Lutheran Church sound as if they were a bad organisation, I personally think it’s valid to interpret it in that way,” He adjusted his glasses and glanced up at the class who was barely paying attention to his lecture. With a disappointed look, he asked. “Now, may someone tell me what significance the blight holds? Astraea Winterfall, please answer.” 

I, who had been listening with an arm lazily supporting my chin suddenly stiffened. What? Was there something wrong with my face? Why me?

I fell into a short stupor but managed to answer in a generic manner.

If you had played the original visual novel from start to end, you would piece together the true history of the empire. While it was vaguely correct to say that ‘divine retribution’ descended upon the Old Empire, it wasn’t the most accurate explanation. 

500 years ago when the Old Empire’s Emperor, died; he used his body as a catalyst to put a curse on the world.

That curse was the conception of ‘blight’. A kind of magic that was worse than black magic. Blight was the primordial concept of death, corruption and annihilation.

This fact is unseen in any history books and remains a big secret until you progress into the later parts of Soren Amberheart’s route. He is the fourth male lead Lowe has yet to meet, and it’s only a matter of time before their paths cross.

Lowe was actually right. There was indeed a hero that saved the current Estelle Empire from the Old Empire. It was that hero who killed the corrupted emperor—

… As for the name of humanity’s saviour? The person’s name had all but been wiped clean by the annals of history. The game also never mentioned why.

Only that I knew the hero was also… the Saint.

“Blight is a reminder to everyone that we should follow the righteous path.” I said. A stupid textbook answer, yet it was what the church wanted people to believe in order to maintain its power and influence over the people.

“Good answer,” his praise was much more monotonous compared to when he was interacting with Lowe. Regardless, Professor Toure fished for his next victim, “Next, what did the fallen kingdom do specifically to incite the Gods wrath? Kairen Copper.” 

The answer to that would be because the emperor was a practitioner of black magic. He ruled the empire and its people like puppets, cursing anyone who threatened his tyranny.

I forgot what Kairen’s answer was in the original story, but I was sure it wasn’t a good one. He stood up to speak, and I noticed the big plaster on his nose.

“If the Gods really did care about us, why the hell would he curse the world with blight and kill so many innocent people?” He spat. 

I had to rub my ears to make sure I heard that right.

What…? I swear he said something bad, but surely it wasn't to this extent?

Professor Toure’s eyes widened as if bulging while the rest of the class jolted awake at his bold question.

I shuddered slightly at how he was so openly condemning the Gods. 

Even if one knew the heavens were damned, it didn’t make sense for anyone to make themselves a target for hatred. What if someone spread the news to the church? He was literally making himself an enemy of the Empire, was he even aware?

“Are you… no. Regardless of your beliefs, do you not think that’s speaking too much?” Anyone could tell even Professor Toure doubted his ears, having to ask Kairen directly.

“I’m stating a fact that nobody dares to question. If you love someone, why would you hurt them?” Kairen spoke as if trying to seek a resolution to this unreasonable dilemma.

“Even if so, to deem ourselves able to comprehend God's will would be seen as sacrilege, do you understand what I’m trying to say, Kairen Copper?” I didn’t know if Kairen grasped the hint, but Professor Toure was trying to save his face by being vague. 

“So if it was by divine will that God wanted the blight to spread, should we all just assume it is divine will and allow it to happen?” Still, it seemed Kairen Copper was too engrossed in his own reasoning. Clearly, the points at which they stood in the conflict were completely different. 

Murmurs within the class began to spread.

It wasn’t a hidden truth that the blight had been spreading since the fall of the Old Empire. And year over year, the corrosion advances southwards at an ever increasing pace. 

As someone who knew the future, it wouldn’t be another three and a half years when the blight would engulf the entire Empire. And in five years, it would wipe out all life on the continent.

Both the empire and church had been diligently suppressing this knowledge in order to prevent panic among their people. Saying that the blight was a reminder of God’s grace in battle was a great way to divert people’s attention from the cruel truth.

Taboos as it may be, Kairen’s words made sense. It was a wake up call, one that I wasn’t sure if those currently listening would grasp.

Wait, why was Kairen even talking about this?

“The fact that the blight hasn’t consumed everything means that God cares, right? Can’t it also be interpreted that way?” She said not in a tone to judge, but one to soothe. It was as if she had seen through Kairen’s fears, addressing his emotions rather than arguing facts. 

His expression turned sour.

Yet instead of retaliating like he did with the professor, he bit his tongue and sat back down.

The class had their single mind focus on him. A mixture of doubt and anger could be seen in their gaze.

Professor Toure took out a handkerchief from his pocket and proceeded to wipe the sweat dripping down his forehead. “Kairen Copper, I can empathise with the points you brought up. However, it is wise to know when one should keep their ideas discreet. If one must speak profanities, it must be done so appropriately. It isn’t wise to impose opinions on others, and… don’t make enemies unnecessarily.” 

Working with Professor Toure once before my regression, I knew that he had been sceptical of the church. He was not admonishing Kairen, but advising him. It’s likely he knew of the truth regarding the blight, but was adamant in keeping the truth away from us for our own safety.

Professor Toure after saying that then turned to Lowe and thanked you. “Thank you for your enlightening words Lowe, please sit.”

Also, wasn’t it weird that Kairen was oddly submissive against Lowe? One word from her shut down an entire argument.

Was this the protagonist's effect? 

Kairen was the one who killed Lowe last time. So why would he be so obedient? Ugh, something doesn’t make sense here.

⋉◆⌌ ⫺⪼▫◆▫⪻⫹ ⌍◆⋊

I took a walk around the school grounds. Students who took notice of my presence would shudder in fear, most of them bowing meekly whenever they walked by me. To that I assumed an impassive attitude while fanning my face.

Contrary to my outward appearance, I was pretty bothered by what Kairen mentioned during history class. I was trying to make sense of the discrepancies in the story development so far. 

Kairen acting out of normal could only be attributed to one thing. Yet somehow I kept denying the possibility.

Because if that were true then… why would he have killed Lowe? 

To question him directly didn’t feel right. I thought maybe I should continue to observe him for a while longer to confirm my suspicions. I was still in my villain getup, so he would likely not suspect me as a regressor of all people.

I found myself looking at Isodor for some reason. He hadn’t noticed me as I was hiding behind a hedge.

Just as I had expected, he had been completely charmed by Lowe—to think he’d try to find opportunities to spend time with her alone. I felt a pint of frustration burn within. 

The unseen sacrifices a villainess must endure in order to help the protagonist grow, truly a pitiful role. At least good progress was being made between the male lead and the protagonist.

Gurururu…

I heard my stomach grumble, I groaned in vexation. So much for being a busybody. You know what, I’ll go get something to eat after Lowe comes to meet the prince.

But almost ten minutes later, Lowe showed no signs of coming. I grew confused. 

I was reaching my limit having to stand under the sun like this. So turning around, I walked back where I came.

Until a hand grabbed me and spun me around.

“What the hell did you do?” Isodor glared at me. I almost gawked, but somehow managed to keep it in while maintaining a cold appearance.

“Just checking to make sure that bitch didn’t come to find you, that’s all,” I said, slapping his hand off my shoulder using my fan.

“You… you did something to her didn’t you?” He spoke while rubbing his wrist which I had hit.

“Me? Oh no, I didn’t. She didn’t show up on her own accord, I swear,” I spread the fan out and covered my mouth.

“Liar,” Isodor was being more aggressive now after what happened last time. It seems my favorability will only continue to drop from here on out.

“Oh my. You really do favour that bitch over me after all, if your father found out what do you think he’d say?”

“I won’t let you get away with this, Astraea Winterfall. Tell me at once, where and what did you do to Lowe!” Isodor roared.

A strong compulsion took over my body. Instinctively I knew Isodor Estelle’s bloodline ability, ‘Order’ was partially in effect.

The Bloodline of Order was an ‘authority’ that had long been lying dormant within him. It was something he struggled to control at will, remaining as one of the biggest frustrations he faced. 

In my previous life, he only managed to secure control of his bloodline powers in the later half of the first year, and complete mastery in the first half of the third year. 

The shock of seeing his bloodline ability awaken so early in the story sent my mind into a whirl. 

“I told you already. I didn’t do anything to that girl! Why don’t you believe me!” And so I yelled.

It was frustrating. If only I continued playing the act of villainess previously, wouldn’t Isodor have grown this much faster? 

He recoiled at my words, an expression of shock quickly spread on his face.

I guess he hadn’t realised that he had accidentally evoked his bloodline ability on me.

While he remained distracted, I quickly walked away. My heart raced, my chest hurt.

I quelled the pain by reminding myself of my true objective. 

No matter what happens, I must do everything in my power to change the future.

… After lunch break, Lowe showed up in class as usual. However, she had an odd expression on her face.

⋉◆⌌ ⫺⪼▫◆▫⪻⫹ ⌍◆⋊

The next day, I came to check on Lowe and Isodor again.

“You… what are you doing here again?!” He was furious when I got caught.

“I’m your fiance! Why can't I be around my prince?” I spoke gibberish.

And so that day I got into another argument with Isodor under the tree where Lowe was supposed to appear. Except she didn’t.

The day after that, the same thing happened.

“Astraea, what do you want?” Isodor was a lot calmer in addressing me today.

“N-nothing,” I panicked slightly at his change in demeanour. Still, I promptly walked away while he patiently stayed to wait for his ‘flower’. 

Without saying anything more, we turned away from each other and walked away.

… And then the day after the day after.

“...” Isodor looked at me.

“...” I looked at him—peeking from behind the hedge.

This time Glenn was with him for some reason. The guy who didn’t look like a guy kept looking between us as if watching a play. Then given some time, Glenn waved at me with a cheerful smile. I found it creepy how he could treat me like this after having experienced his death stare.

I turned around and walked away without saying anything. Isodor didn’t even stop me, as if he had gotten used to it.

And then on the fourth day…